Coal and Diamonds-Author's Note Pg 27 - Page 17

Murari kaka has never mentioned a husband in waiting to her. She tried to take in her surroundings. She was in the lavish office of her boss with its midnight blue walls, thick and soft pencil grey carpet and silver framed Van Gogh and Picasso. The room was very male and made a silent statement of power. But nothing more was powerful than the person who owned this room. If you wanted to redefine power you could call it Udayveer right now. The expression on his face was of determination. This person claims to be her future husband whom she had been engaged to. What kind of hallucination was he in? Guys like him did not marry girls like her. He had looks of a fallen angel who was never up to any good. He walked with the air of supremacy around him. He was just so…male. And she was Manyata, simple uncomplicated Manyata.

She can't marry him. She loved Aakash. They were kids when this engagement happened. How can he possibly think there is any hope for this relationship? Doesn't he have anyone whom he wants to marry; some princess that would fit into the slot of his queen perfectly? You are a princess, a voice inside her repeated what Uday has just told her. Then she realized something much more vital. The life of royals was so public. Where ever they go people want to take pictures, media follows their every move; discussing their clothes, weight and what not. She liked her normal life. She hated crowds. She looked at Uday, the person who had turned her life upside down with one sentence, "I can't do this," said a terrified Manyata dizzily.

Uday saw her expressions change from shock to realization to contemplation to anger and finally settle on sheer terror. He knew it was too early to tell her. The original plan was to ease her into it but after today's attack he did not want to take any more risks with her. He will have to deal with Dadi Saab's anger and he will deal with it. What he cannot deal with is losing Manyata. She will be more cautious if she knew. "Manyata there is no need to be scared." Uday told Manyata steadying her when he saw her going dizzy. "I will be there with you…every step of the way."

"I can't marry you. I love Aakash. And that entire media connection, all those people discussing me as if I am their property. My life is mine. They will put it on display for people to argue about me over tea and lunch breaks." Manyata said in a daze talking more to herself than Uday.

Hearing Aakash's name made Uday's blood boil. The Udayveer Singh had competition from a slimy commoner with doubtful actions. Then he realized Manyata was talking to herself voicing her fears in a daze. This was not the time to lose his temper over his princess's beloved. They were going to have to argue about him at one time but Uday would have it later than sooner and when he is not raging with anger. Before he could channel his anger and decide what to say next Manyata very conveniently fainted in his arms and saved him the trouble.

Manyata woke up next morning to the sounds to laughter, smells of omelets and noise of moving trucks. The events of previous evening came flooding back to her. For every female in the world it would be a dream comes true when Prince Uday of Jaigarh would have told her that she was engaged to him. For her it was her worst nightmare comes true. That one sentence from Uday has brought her life to crossroads and she has no idea which path to take. She will never forgive Uday for shattering her world with one sentence. She could never be an architect if she was a princess. Her duties priorities will have to change. She heard a something breaking in the kitchen. She got out of the bed assuring herself that nothing has changed yet and went to freshen up. She had no idea how wrong she was.

Manyata froze in the doorway at the sight in front of her. Every news channel in the world would pay the asking amount to telecast what was going on in her kitchen. There he was the biggest soot of her life, Prince Udayveer, whisking eggs in a bowl with his perfect hair and perfect clothes. Though, he has put on an apron to save them for being spoiled. The twins were in a heated discussion with him and Murari kaka looked so thoroughly entertained at their interaction. Here she has fainted and her family was cracking jokes with the man who was responsible for it. This guy had turned the orbit of her earth.

"Manyata jiji is the best cook in the world," Saachi declared loyal to her older sister until eternity.

"Arre..when did I say any different? I just said I make world's awesome omelets. And you just can't write me off without tasting them," Uday said presenting his case as he started chopping vegetables. "And ladies I own a hotel chain, I can definitely find a better cook than your jiji. You come to our Delhi hotel… the head chef there makes killer parathas."

"Nope you can't. Jiji puts love and care in our food that your chefs can't so don't even bother Mr. Prince," Chaaya said, "I just can't wait to tell all the girls that Prince Udayveer made breakfast for us,"

"No one will believe you sweetheart," Uday said confidently, "I have a reputation of lazy, arrogant prince who does not even pick a glass of water by himself let alone cook. Don't bother. They will only think that you have gone crazy," Uday told Chaaya pointing at her with the knife.

"Whatever…when are you feeding us? Jiji has breakfast ready by this time," Chaaya demanded.

Kaka and Uday laughed at twins antics, "You are never up for breakfast on time so don't pester the guy." Kaka told the twins.

"And yes next time when your jiji makes prathas please let me know. Just knock on my door. We are neighbors now." Uday said putting the batter on the frying pan and smiled when he saw Manyata in the doorway. "Hello Princess. How are you feeling now? Would you like some omelets?" Uday asked with a sincere face and smiling eyes, while he observed her for any signs of weakness. She looked pale and tired. She was not limping as much as she had been yesterday. Her leg was getting better. Three heads shot up when Uday said Manyata's name.

"Jiji how are you feeling?" Chaaya asked.

"Are you still dizzy?" Saachi asked at the same time.

"Leave her alone," Murari ordered the twins," use araam ki zaroorat hai. Chalo ab sab breakfast kar lo phir baat karte hain," (She needs rest. Let's all have breakfast now and we will discuss the rest later.)

"No Baba mujhe university ke liye der ho rahi hai( No Baba I am getting late for university)," Manyata said leaning weakly against the wall. The stress from this whole princess situation had her exhausted. And she really did not wanted to eat anything made by this beast.

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day Manyata." Uday said, "Aur aap ko aaj rest karna chahiye. Aise toh aap aur beemar ho jaayengi."(You should rest today. You'll get more sick this way.)

"You are no one to tell me what to do and what not to do Prince Udayveer Singh." Manyata snapped at him.

"Manyata beta Uday theek keh raha hai. Aaj tum aaraam karo university jaana aaj rehne do aur phir humme kal jo hua uske bare mein baat bhi toh karni hai. Chalo, ab kuch kha lo…tumhe acha lagega." Murari said gently leading Manyata to the dining table.( Manyata dear, Uday is right. Take some rest today, take a day off from university and we still have to discuss about what happened yesterday. Come on, now eat something you will feel better.)

"Haan jiji baith jao. How many times do we have a prince cooking for us? Plus he brought you home yesterday. Be nice." Saachi said jovially unaware of the undercurrents going on between Manyata, Uday and Murari.

"Its trail time Mr. Prince. Lets see if you can make good on the promise of excellent omelets." Chaaya said setting another plate for Manyata.

Uday smiled at the antics of the twins. He really liked them. They were so pure in their thoughts. His princess on the other hand was giving him death glares which are understood as he did shake her world upside down yesterday. He was very anxious to talk to her and help her deal with this sudden change. She was looked so weak and vulnerable. He wanted to soothe and take all her distress on him. For the first time he hurt with someone else's pain. This feeling was not welcome by him. He was not one to pull out the valiant knight on a charger routine. But this girl had him worried about her the whole night and her remark about that Aakash was still on his mind, festering his anger. Uday served them the omelets. She had not taken a single bite. He knew that she was not going to eat anything cooked by him. He would do the same if the situations were reversed.

"So, ladies what is the verdict? Do I pass the audition?" Uday asked the twins with a charming smile on his face as if there was nothing wrong.

"Well for a lazy, arrogant prince who does not even pick a glass of water by himself, these are pretty good." Chaaya said quoting Uday and making him laugh.

"Good! These are absolutely amazing. Mr. Prince whenever you feel like cooking please remember us. You almost beat jiji but then she is really good so don't feel bad." Saachi said pulling Uday's leg.

"Thank you for such graciousness. I am so humbled." Uday said and made the twins and Murari laugh. Manyata was just too stunned to see her family accepting Uday so easily. He seemed to have charmed the twins and it was not an easy task. They were innately pure and couldn't put up any facades of any kind. They hated Jay and she was a duplicate copy of Uday. And what was the whole deal about him being their neighbor? She had so many questions but they all have to wait until the twins were gone. Everyone finished their breakfast. Twins thanked Uday for the breakfast and left for university. Murari went downstairs to check on how the movers were doing. Uday started clearing the table.

"Why are you doing this?" Manyata asked him angrily. Her breakfast plate infront of her, totally untouched.

"Kuch kha lijiye Princess. Aap weakness ki wajah se beemar padh jaayengi," Uday said putting dishes in the dishwasher ignoring her question. He was not in the mood to deal with her questions. His own emotions were enough to put him on the edge. (Eat something princess. You will get sick because of weakness.)

"Tumhare haath bana toh main bilkul bhi nahi khaungi. Aur tum humaare neighbor kab se ho gaye?" Manyata asked. (I will not eat anything made by you and since when you are our neighbor?)

"From today princess, those trucks are moving my stuff in." Uday told her pouring some juice in a glass. "You are mine. No roadside romeo can change that. Sooner you understand that the better it is for everyone involved." Uday said leaning in front of her. "Drink this. I did not make it." Uday put the glass of juice in front of her and left to join Murari.

Really sorry for the massive delay. Please do not kill me as there will be no one to write the ff. Laptop broke down on me. I really do appreciate your patience. I am totally humbled by your response to my ff. Thank you so much for waiting. So the part is up and it is really rushed hence a lot of mistakes. I know this one does not go anywhere but as I said rushed. This is just a filler. The story will pick up from next part onwards. I hope. Comments, questions, criticisms, chappals and dandas all welcome. Please do leave a reply.